Can't keep hot Herron off field

October 29, 2004|By John Mullin.

Coaches are holding to a commitment to get running back Terrell Jordan more carries and playing time, but Noah Herron just isn't cooperating. Herron has become a dominant force in Northwestern's offense, averaging 111 yards rushing.

"It's a flow thing," offensive coordinator Mike Dunbar said. "Noah has had the hot hand. It's hard to take him out of there."

Jordan is averaging 5 yards per carry. . . .

Coach Randy Walker's two-day hospital stay for a heart condition this week did not significantly disrupt the team's preparations for Purdue except for the unavoidable distraction of questions about his health.

"It's fortunate this happened in October rather than August or September, because then you're doing so much to develop your program," Walker said. "By this time, we're not re-inventing the wheel. We are what we are. A lot of things are in place."